Control system



D. J. LANE CONTROL SYSTEM May-31, 1938.

Filed Oct. 29, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 CONTINL MELSUZi MOTOR m R A m. w L mi N A D V: B M 0 2 2 Z2 6 1 wg m A TTORNE Y.

May 31, 1938. D. J. LANE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 29, 1934 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 'FIQQ 7 Mellllli IENTOR. DANlEL J. LANE A TTORNE Y.

Ma 31, 1 938. 0.1 LANE 2:11am

Gammon SYSTEM Filed Oct. 29, i954 SSfieefds-Shee-t s;

6Q JNVENTOR. 69/ DANIEL J. LANE A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 31, 1938 PATENT OFFICE CONTROL SYSTEM Daniel J. Lane, Wyndmoor, Pa, assignor to Leeds &' Northrup Company, Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsy Application Octobcr :9, 1934, Serial No. 150,453

7 Claims.

My invention relates to control systems and more particularly to such systems in which changes in magnitude of a condition to be controlled are integrated and a controlling eifect or impulse is applied to modify the condition only in response to a predetermined integrated change or departure of the condition from some predetermined value or variation characteristic.

More particularly, my invention relates to an electrical control system in which there is produced an electrical effect which is a measure of a condition-to be controlled; in which this eifect is continuously measured and mechanically integrated, and in which there is produced a control impulse, for example, the closing of contacts in an electric circuit, only in response to a predetermined integrated departure of the condition from a desired constant or variable value. Such a system has the advantages of extreme simplicity without sacrifice in accuracy, since the average of the condition under control is maintained at the desired value with a high degree of accuracy.

In accordance with one embodiment of my invention, there is produced an electrical effect varying in accordance with the condition to be controlledgand this electrical eifect is continuously measured. Mechanical integrating mechanism intermittently produces a displacement of a driven member dependent only upon the instantaneous magnitude of the electrical effect, which is a measure of the condition to be controlled, and the resultant movements of this driven member add algebraically to give a measure of the integrated change or departure of the condition from the desired value.

My invention is particularly characterized by the fact the measuring element, as a galvanom-v eter pointer, deflects from a neutral position in accord with departure of the condition from its predetermined or desired value and remains in the deflected position as long as any departure of said condition exists. Only when the magnitude of the condition is restored to its predeter- .m.ined value is the deflecting element restored to its neutral position. In consequence the driven member periodically operated inaccord with the aforesaid departure as contrasted with prior systems in which the driven member operates a slidewire or equivalent device to rebalance the measuring circuit to return the deflecting member to its neutral position'irrespective of then existing departure of the condition from its predetermined value. a

A control device is operated by the driven member and is effective to give a controlling impulse only in response to a predetermined movement of the driven member corresponding to a predetermined integrated change in the condition. The control of the condition is preferably efiected solely in response to such control effects or impulses.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the electrical effect constituting a measure of the condition to be controlled is mechanically integrated by a mechanism similar to that disclosed and claimed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,935,732, granted November 21, 1933, upon the application of L. Y. Squibb, while the control device constitutes a mercury switch operated by such an integrating mechanism and included in a circuit constituting the sole control of the condition in question.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any desired primary condition capable'of being measured, and particularly one from which an electrical measuring effect may be derived, may be controlled by the improved system of my invention. Well-known examples of such condition are temperature, pressure, current, voltage, frequency, or other electrical condition of an electric circuit, rate of flow, and the like.

For a better understanding of my invention, together with other and further features thereof, reference is had to the following description, taken, in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig, 1 is a view in front elevation of a control apparatus suitable for use in my improved control system, with the electrical measuring instrument removed for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, including the electrical measuring instrument,shown partly in sectio being taken along the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

, Fig. 3 is a. rear elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, partly in section, being taken along the lines 1-4 of Fig.2; v

Fig. 4 illustrates in detail the mounting of the control switch of the apparatus of Fig. 1, partly in cross-section;

Fig. .5 isa detail of the driving and driven clutch members of the integrating mechanismofFlg. 1;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of switch structure;

Fig. 7 is a diagram of a complete control system utilizing the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 5; while Fig. 8 is a diagram of a portion of the control system of Fig. 7 modified for utilization of the control switch structure of Fig. 6.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a control apparatus similar to that described in the abovementioned Squibb patent, to which reference is made for a detailed description. In brief, this' apparatus comprises a base-or panel ll provided with an extending cover ll pivotali'y supported from the base I at l2, and adapted to be retained in closed position by thumb screw |2. Secured to the base I0 is a composite frame l4 from which are Supported the several elements of the mechanism. The measuring instrument comprises a galvanometer l5 of any. conventional type, provided with a pointer or deflecting member I6 and preferably being detachably supported as a unit from the frame I 4.

The mechanical integrating mechanism is driven by a continuously rotating shaft [1 operated by a motor M through any suitable gearing, such as a worm land a worm-wheel l9, and the spur gears and 2|, the worm l6 being connected to the motor M and the gear 2| to the shaft l1. Secured to the shaft I1 is a cam structure 22 provided with a plurality of cam elements or surfaces for operating the several elements to be described. The integrating mechanism includes a pair-of scissors-like members 22 and 22a pivotally supported at 24 and 24a, respectively,

and biased into closed position by a spring 25 interconnecting them. These elements 22 and 22a are intermittently separated and released by an element of the cam 22 and, when released, are

disposed to engage the projectin needle l6 of t the galvanometer l5 which, during the engaging portion of the cycle of operation, is clamped by a mechanism (not shown) operated by the cam 22. The integrating mechanism includes also a ments 22 to closed position, to move the member 26 about its pivot 21 through an angle varying with the deflection of the needle l6.

Extending from the outer ends of the member 26 are cam surfaces' 26a and. 26b disposed in the path of the cams 22 and 220, respectively, secured to the continuously rotating shaft H. The member 26 is provided with a pair of clutch elements or shoes 26c and 261 cooperating with a clutch disk 26 rigidly secured to a shaft 2|, Figs. 3, 4 and 7, journalled in the frame l4. The member 26, together with the clutch member 26 carried thereby, is pivotally supported in the frame I4 and intermittently moved away from the disk 26 to disengage the clutch shoes 26:: and 26! during patent. In brief, asuming that the galvanom-' eter needle |6 has deflected in response to a change in a condition to be controlled, the engaging elements. 22 and 22a are separated by the cam 22 to allow the needle l6 to take up its de- ,flectedposition. Thereupo one clamping eleone of the elements will engage the needle before reaching the neutral position, and the spring 25 will be effective "to. close the scissors, bringing the other element also intoengagement withthe needle l6. The closing of the-scissorseflects a corresponding movement of the pin 26d and rotation of the clutch member 26 about its pivot 21, during this portion of the cycle the clutch member 26 being disengaged from the clutch disk 26. Thereupon, the cam 22 again separates the engaging elements 23 and 22a, releases the clutch member 26 to reengage the clutch disk 22, and simultaneously releases the means clamping the galvanometer needle l6. Upon reengagement of the clutch member 26 and disk 22, the cams 22 and 29a engage that one of the cam surfaces 26a, 26b of the clutch member 26 which has been deflected by the above-described movement towards the shaft H. The cams 29, 29a are thus effective to restore the clutch member 26 to its neutral position and simultaneously to turn the clutch disk 22 and the shaft 2| through an angle which is a measure of the deflection of the galvanometer needle l6 for the particular cycle of operation. The above-described cycle is repeated, each rotation of the shaft l1 producing a rotation of the shaft 2| by an increment or step which-is a measure of the'instantaneous deflection of the galvanometer needle |6, these incremental or I step-by-step. movements of the shaft 2| being added algebraically to produce an angular movement which is a measure of the integrated change in the condition measured by the galvanom eter l5.

The control switch assembly, operated by the above-described integrating mechanism, is supported from a hub 42, Figs. 3 and 4, secured to the rear of the shaft 2| and comprises a bracket or support 4| flxed to the hub 40 and provided with a pair of arms 4|a projecting horizontally therefrom. Secured to the arms 4|a, Figs. 6 and 7, are spring clips 42 in which is mounted a mercury switch 42 provided with terminals 42a. A frictional drag element 44, secured to the bracket 4| as by a bolt 45. engages the base M or other portion .of the stationary structure to retain the switch assembly in the position to which it is operated by the integrating mechanism. Movement of the switch assembly may be maintained within the limits necessary for effecting opening and closing of the circuit including the switch terminals by a projecting arm 46 cooperating with a pair of studs 41 secured to a portion of the stationary frame. 46 and 41 prevent movement of the switch assembly beyond the required limits, the abovedescribed integrating mechanism, if. tending. to move the switch assembly beyond these limits, would produce a slipping between the clutch disk 22 and the clutch shoes 26c and 26f. To avoid this, a stop member 22 (Fig. 5), providedwith projecting arms- 22a, may be secured to the clutch disk 22 and cooperate with a projection 26g on the arm 26c of the clutch member 26. The extent of angularmovement of the clutch disk 22 from the normal position, as determined by the stops 22a and 26a, is preferably slightly less than that determined by the stops -46 and 41, so that these latter act solely as safety devices. a

While the cooperating stops 7.

There may also be supported from the base l6 auxiliary apparatus useful in connection with many control systems in which my invention 'is suitable. For example, there may be provided-a 7 calibrating slidewire or rheostat 56 operated by a knob 5| and, in case the apparatus is to be used with a network standardized by a standard cell, there may be provided also a standardizing slidewire 52 operated by a knob 52. In this latter instance, a standardizing switch 54 may be supported also from the frame, comprising two pairs a,11a,1os

of contacts is and so adapted to be selectively bridged by a member 81 operated by a pushbutton 58. Further, terminals 69, 6| and ti may be provided for the energizing circuit of the motor M, the circuit of the terminals a, and the energizing circuit for the galvanometer coil, respectively. A standard cell 82 may also be included, if desired.

A schematic diagram of a complete control system embodying the apparatus described above is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings in which corresponding elements have been given the same reference characters as in the preceding figures. Hie system of Fig. '7 is adapted to maintain constant the average temperature of a furnace 61 heated by an electrical heating element '8 energized from a supply circuit 69 in series with the mercury switch 43. In this instance, the measuring circuit of the galvanometer I! is connected through the contacts 56 of the switch 54 in series with a thermocouple Si, responsive to the temperature of the furnace i1, and a portion of the slidewire or rheostat 50 provided with an adjustable contact ila. The slidewire 5' comprises an element of a potentiometer including, also, a flxed resistance 64 in series therewith, energized from a battery 63 through the standardizing slidewire or rheostat 52 having an adjustable contact 520. The potentiometer circuit may be restandardized by operating the switch 54 to close the contacts 55, thus connecting the galvanometer I! in series with the standard cell 62 and the potentiometer comprising resistors ll, i l.

It is believed that the operation of the system of Fig. 7 will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, in view of the foregoing description of the apparatus included therein. In brief, if it be assumed, for example, that, due to change in the input to the furnace 1 or any other cause, the temperature of the furnace rises above normal, the thermoelectromotive force'generated by the couple 66 will exceed that of the portion of the resistor 50 included in thegalvanometer circuit by the adjustable contact "a, the galvanometer needle I will deflect, and as long as the temperature of the furnace remains above normal, the above-described mechanism will integrate the deflections of the galvanometer needle I and impart them to the switch assembly, including the mercury switch 43. As stated above the deflection of the galvanometer needle is always a measure of the departure of the condition from its normal or desired magnitude. As long as there is departure, the needle or pointer I,

remains in a deflected position to produce continuing step-by-step or incremental movement of the switch operating and supporting member kl. Thus within the range of movement of the member ii the number of steps depends upon the duration of departure of the condition from normal and the length of each step depends upon the instantaneous extent of departure from normal. In case this integrated deflection of the galvanometer needle, that is, the integrated temperature departure from normal, exceeds a predetermined value, the mercury switch 43 .will break the circuit at its' terminals "a, thereby deenergizing the heating element II of the furnace 61, allowing the furnace to cool. The circuit of the switch 43 will remain open until the integrated departure of the furnace temperature from normal is reduced to zero and/or until the furnace temperature falls below normal for a suiiicient length of time, so that the integrated departure of the furnace temperature below normal will be'suflicient to return the switch 43 tothe position in which the circuit is again completed through its terminals "a, thus energizing theheating element '8 of the furnace I.

In the system just described, it is preferable that the heating element 68 should be of such capacity as to heat the furnace to a temperature in excess of the normal value under all operating conditions. As an alternative, it will be well understood by those skilled in the art that the heating element 6., controlled by the switch .3, may be an auxiliary heating element only, in which case the capacity of the main heating element should be less than that required to maintain a proper furnace temperature under any load conditions. It is also understood that' the switch 43 may control "the operation of any intermediate current controlling devices which, in turn, control the heating element I, in case the capacity of the switch 43 is inadequate for this purpose.

It will be apparent that the temperature main- I tained by the control system of Fig. 7 may be adjusted by means of the contact 50a of the resistor 50, which varies the proportion of the electromotive force of the potentiometer which is balanced by that of the thermocouple 66. It will also be apparent that the potentiometer circuit may be restandardized to compensate for the variations in the voltage of the battery 53 by operating the switch SI to close its contacts 55 and adjusting the contact 520.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modified switch assembly in which the bracket ll has two pairs of projecting arms Ia and lb in planes at an angle to each other. Each of the pairs of arms lid and lib is provided with spring clips I! engaging the mercury switches 43 and 43', respectively. A system utilizing the switch assembly of Fig. 6 is shown diagrammatically, in part, in Fig. 8, which is, in all respects, similar to Fig. '7 with the exception that the furnace i1 is provided with an additional heating element 68' controlled by the auxiliary mercury switch 43'. With-such an arrangement, in case the integrated departure of the furnace temperature below normal exceeds a given value, the switch 43 will be operated to energize the heating elements $8, as in the arrangement of Fig. 7. However, if, because of increased load on the furnace G1, the heating element 68 is not 'sufiicient to raise the tempera- In the system described above, my invention has been illustrated as applied to the control of furnace temperature. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is equally applicable tothe control of the magnitude of any measurable condition or conditions from which may be derived an electrical effect which is a measure of the condition. Furthermore, it will be apparent that in the systems of my invention, by integrating the departure of the magnitude of a condition from its normal value and applying a correction to the condition until the integrated departure is reduced to zero, the average condition over a period of time is accurately maintained at the desired value, which may be either constant, as inlthe systems illustrated, or variable, according to a predetermined law, by

properly controlling the adjustable contact 50a of the calibrating resistor 5ll;-

While I have described what I at present consider the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my inventionl What I claim is:

1. An electric control system comprising an element movable from a neutral position solely in response to departure of the magnitude of a condition from a desired value, means for integrating movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted driven member operable by continuing step-by-step movements, the number of steps depending upon the duration, and the length of eachstep depending upon the extent, of said departure of said condition from said predetermined value, a gravity-operated electric switch mounted on said driven member and having a pair of contacts the circuit controlling condition of which is changed only in response to integrated movementzof said driven member through a predetermined angle, and a circuit controlled solely by said contacts for controlling said condition.

2. An electric control system comprising an element movable from a neutral position solely in response to departure of the magnitude of a condition from a desired value, means for integrating movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted driven member operable by continuing step-by-step movements, the number of steps depending upon the duration, and the length of each step depending upon the extent, of said departure of said condition from said predetermined value, a mercury switch mounted on said driven member, and a. circuit controlled solely by said mercury switch for controlling said condition.

3. An electric control system comprising an 7 element movable from a neutral position solely in response to departure of the magnitude of a condition from a desired value, means for integrating movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted driven member operable by continuing. step-by-step movements, the number of steps depending upon the duration, and the length of each step depending upon the extent, of'said departure ofmanner, and a circuit controlled solely by the other of said switches for controlling said condition in a different manner.

4. An electric control system comprising an element movable from a neutral position solely in response to departure from normal of a-condition to be controlled, means for integrating Y movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted drivenmember operable by continuing step-by-step movements, the number of steps depending upon the duration, and the length of each step depending upon the extent, of said departure of said condition from said predetermined value, a mercury switch mounted on said driven member and .op-'

erable to close its contacts only in response to a predetermined integrated departure of said condition from normal, and a circuit controlled solely by said mercury switch for controlling means I to restore said condition to normal.

5. An electric control system comprising an element movable froma neutral position solely in. response to departure fromnormal of a condition to be controlled, and returnable to said neutral position only after return of said condition to its normal magnitude, means for integrating movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted driven member, a pair of mercury switches mounted on said driven member with' an angular displacement therebetween and operable to close their re spective contacts only in response to different predetermined integrated departures of said condition from normal, a circuit controlled solely by that one of said switches operable in response to the lesser integrated departure of said condition from normal for controlling means to restore said condition to normal at a predetermined rate, and a circuit controlled by the other of said switches for controlling means to restore said condition to normal at a higher rate.

6. An electric control system comprising an element movable from a neutral position solely an response to departure from a' normal magnitude of a condition to be controlled, means for integrating movements of said element from neutral position including a pivotally mounted driven member, a gravity operated electric switch mounted onand operable by movement of said driven member' and having a pairof con-' tacts the circuit controlling condition' of which is changed only in response to a predetermined integrated departure of said condition from normal, stop mechanism for limiting the angular movement of said driven member, and a circuit controlled solely by said contacts for controlling said condition.

" '7. A control system comprising a balanceablenetwork unbalanced by departure of a condition 'from a desired magnitude and remaining unbalanced until return of said condition to said desired magnitude, an element movable from .a

neutral position solely in response to unbalance of said network, and returnable to said neutral position only after the magnitude of said condition is again at said desired magnitude and said network is balanced, mechanism'intermittently engaging said element and deflectable in nism, means for periodically returning said driving member 'to neutral position while engaging said driven member periodically to move said driven member'by amounts dependent upon the extent of departure of said condition from. its desired magnitude, and a controldeyice directly operable by a predetermined integrated movement of said driven member for controlling the magnitude of said condition.

, DANIEL J. LANE. 

